Complete beginner here

Hello - I am completely new to hunting w/archery. I've been a gun hunter for many years, mostly handgun, but a friend and I are looking to get into archery. I was wondering if someone would list may 3 or 4 names of the better bow makers, so we could do some reading before we head to stores to check them out. I realize even the best bow in the world won't make you a good shot without practice, just like handguns, but we'd like to be starting with decent equipment at least. We have a 500 yard gun range, so plenty of space to set up an archery range aswell. Thank you!

Pottsy I would tell you this about selecting a Bow. Most of the Higher end Bows are very good. But one of the biggest factors is how does the Bow feel to you in your hand. The Bow must fit you as well. My suggestion to you and your buddy would be to go to a Pro Shop and shoot some of the different Bows out there. I think you will find this will help you out alot. It will be better than just reading about them or taking advise from someone. People are sometimes biais. Also when picking a Bow you need to decide what you are going to use it for. Just hunting or just 3-D or both. There are so many options out there. I hope this was some help.

Hello Shooter - thanks for the tips. That's the plan, to go check them out, see if one feels better than others, etc at a couple pro shops. I was mostly trying to weed out poor brands. In most products, there are the top of the line, middle that most use, and stuff that is cheaply made, price only. I'm looking to be in the middle or upper catagory, I just don't want to buy something that may be cheaper today, but costly in the long run, hence I was just wondering some of the better quality brand names. Thanks for the help though!

Some of the best are:
Hoyt
Matthews
Martin
Bowtech
Pse
Browning
And many more.........go to the proshop and tell them what you're working with....they won't sell you junk. They want you to come back, so they'll take care of you.

No bashing.......Violators will be shot.......Survivors will be prosecuted.

I am a beginner as well so i recently just purchased a new bow this past fall. For your first real bow you are not going to want to spend a lot of money on it. I bought a 300 dollar Parker bow and i love it to death. However its your call that is just what i did.

New Bow

I am also new to Bow Hunting. Just purchased a PSE Bruin set at approx 60lbs with 70% let off. It came as complete package, Whisker Biscuit rest, three pin sight, loop string, peep sight, string silencers, four X-weave carbon arrows with 100 grain practice tips. Total cost set up for 28 in draw and personally for me under $400. I purchased an ajustable wrist release. Its a great shooter so far. The Whisker Biscuit rest is incredably easy for a begginer and is very accurate. You don't have to worry about arrows falling off rest and can concentrate on your form and release. I have never shot archery and can hit something the size of my fist consistently at 20 yards after only a month.

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